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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » Aschiza » Syrphid Flies (Syrphidae) » Eristalinae » Merodontini » Merodon » Narcissus bulb fly (Merodon equestris)
Photo#111790
Merodon equestris
Copyright © 2007 thedark

Merodon equestris
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA
May 20, 2007
Size: less than an inch

Images of this individual: tag all
Merodon equestris Bee - Merodon equestris Bee - Merodon equestris Bee - Merodon equestris Bee - Merodon equestris Bee - Merodon equestris
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Contributed by thedark on 22 May, 2007 - 9:36am
Last updated 24 January, 2008 - 3:01pm

No doubt a female of Merodon
No doubt a female of Merodon equestris (native to Europe)...
… Martin Hauser, 22 May, 2007 - 10:07pm login or register to post comments

Fly
This is actually a fly, I believe in the subfamliy Eristalinae. Maybe something in the Mallota or Merodon genus. I'm sure a Diptera specialist can narrow it down.
… J.D. Roberts, 22 May, 2007 - 11:20am login or register to post comments

 
thanks
Really? Wow. Thank you!
… thedark, 22 May, 2007 - 12:02pm login or register to post comments

 
Yeah
There are some pretty remarkable mimics out there. Nice images.
… J.D. Roberts, 22 May, 2007 - 12:14pm login or register to post comments

 
not Laphria?
Why isn't this Laphria (I'm not questioning the ID, just curious)
… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 22 May, 2007 - 12:59pm login or register to post comments

 
I believe this is Merodon...
I believe this is Merodon...

as far as separating from Laphria: it's easiest to go by gestalt... if you compare wing venation it becomes obvious that the two are very dissimilar... head shape is another big clue, as asilids have a hollow between the eyes and a mystax (beard)... and in general, syrphids are more plump and muscid-esque than asilids... hope that helps
… Joe, Entomologist (in training), 22 May, 2007 - 2:43pm login or register to post comments

 
I doubt Laphria
It didn't strike me as Laphria. The head and what I can see of the femora doesn't match quite well enough to what I'd expect in Laphria. I could be wrong, because I'm certainly no Diptera expert, but that's why I didn't swing towards Laphria.
… J.D. Roberts, 22 May, 2007 - 1:09pm login or register to post comments

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